AESTHETIC DIALECTICS: LADUNI AND INVULNERABILITY IN THE DABUIH PERFORMANCE

The dabuih (debus) performance can be an interesting attraction for the audience because of its uniqueness in the performing arts which presents attractions of arts and invulnerability. Laduni (knowledge and skill) is not the result of supernatural powers that suddenly emerge from a person; someone has to go through a process that is not easy to gain this knowledge. Invulnerability (sharp weapons invulnerability) in the context of debus performing arts; participants have invulnerability or resistance to attacks with sharp weapons, not true – absolute – invulnerability to sharp weapons. Debus practitioners use sharp objects such as knives, broken glass, or other metal objects to carry out these acts. This research aims to reveal aesthetic phenomena: laduni and invulnerability in dabuih (debus) performances. This research uses a qualitative approach; The researcher acts as the main instrument in collecting research data. Data was obtained through observation, in-depth interviews, and document searches. Observations were made of dabuih performances in several places; either in live performances or in the form of recordings that have been uploaded to YouTube media. In-depth interviews were conducted with selected informants, consisting of kulipah (caliph), dabuih players, and musicians. Document searches were carried out on online media that discussed debus performances. Based on research, it can be found that there is an influence of the tarekat's teachings; Laduni knowledge, and shamanic phenomena in debus performances. This research recommends that observers of tarekat debus conduct more comprehensive research on debus performances in Minangkabau.